Staff at regional newspaper publisher the Kent Messenger Group are bracing for another round of hefty job losses, with a further 159 redundancies – nearly 30% of its remaining workforce.

KM Group, which owns newspapers including the Kent Messenger and the Medway Messenger, as well as radio stations and websites, said that the economic climate had deteriorated since the first round of redundancies in the autumn. The family-owned company announced last September it would shed 10% of its 640-strong workforce and close six regional offices.

The head count stands at 550 after the first round of redundancies and KM Group has announced that 95 jobs could be axed across all departments, while another 64 non-editorial roles could be affected by outsourcing. The group is planning to outsource its printing, mailroom, and newspaper and leaflet distribution operations, and close the Folkestone and Thanet offices.

A KM Group spokeswoman said 32 of the job cuts would be editorial positions. She added that the reduction to 400 included a couple of dozen people who would be leaving by the end of year and not replaced. The consultation period will run until April.

A spokesman for the National Union of Journalists said the union would not be involved in collective negotiations over the redundancies since it did not have recognition at KM Group but would support any individuals affected.

The KM Group managing director, Graham Mead, said that the company had no alternative. "If we had any other option but redundancies we would take it, but the reality is that we have to restructure our business to be able to operate efficiently in this challenging environment and to position ourselves for the future," Mead added. "We will still have around 400 staff and believe we will still provide the best media service in Kent for all of our readers, listeners, visitors and customers."

Geraldine Allinson, KM Group's chairwoman, said it was particularly difficult for the company to outsource its printing, given "the company's long and successful history of printing our own titles".

The company is not currently planning to close any of its newspapers, websites or radio stations.

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